What is a Bald Fade Haircut?
The bald fade haircut is a faded hairstyle that features longer hair on top and short back and sides, usually shaved down to the skin (bald). The fade refers to the smooth transition from the top of the hair to the neckline, with the hair going down to skin level. Precise blending is used when creating the bald fade.
How to Cut a Bald Fade with Clippers?
When doing bald fade haircuts, it’s essential to know where the fade would start. This distinguishes which guard size to utilize.
Use clippers to remove extra bulk from the hair on the sides and the back area. Some stylists also use shears when removing a lot of lengths. To achieve the seamless and natural-looking fade, changing the size of the clippers or the guard would do the trick.
Bald Fade vs Skin Fade
A bald fade and skin fade are the same. Both refer to the skin around the sides and nape being cut so short that it appears bald and skin is completely visible.
This is the one that delivers the high contrast effect between your skin and hair color, which is the reason why this fade is of the more popular styles. A cool benefit of this contemporary haircut is that it can prolong the time between barber sessions, as it will take a while before your hair grows out again from bare skin. Another is that it has very low upkeep and can lessen the amount of hair you need to style while still keeping an impressive look.
Before your next haircut, check out these pictures of the best bald fade haircuts!
#1: Clean Skin Fade with a Beard
The best thing about dark hair is that you can get a clean skin fade that works really well with a beard. This high fade has been taken down to the skin and blended tightly into the top, and if you have dense hair, you can get a super clean finish. The top has been textured, one of the best ways to tell your barber that you want a textured finish is to ask for it to be point cut. This is a great style to choose for easy styling.
#2: Mid Bald Fade for Curly Hair
A mid bald fade works really well for a curly hair type. It has been faded tightly around the base and blended up into the thick curls on top. The fade will need refreshing every 2-3 weeks but the top wont need cutting everytime. Most product will work with this style, but a good pomade will add definition to the curls.
#3: Brushed Forward Bald Fade
The bald fade, when brushed forward, is a European hairstyle for men that has been around for years. Make this style last all day by pairing it with the Paul Mitchell Reformer Pomade.
#4: Bald Fade Mohawk
How else can you rock this bald fade mohawk hairstyle if not with a neatly shaved side? This allows you to acquire more shape on top of your head to style.
#5: The Butch Cut
The butch cut, also known as a bald fade, is a faded haircut where the sides are reduced right down to skin level. Try adding in an etched design to showcase some contrast.
#6: Bald Fade Blowout
A bald fade blowout is a great option if interested in a mohawk-type style. Fading everything from the temple to behind the ears, gives a bald fade blowout a decent amount of time between cuts. Ideal style for teens and young adults.
#7: Bald Fade for Black Men
Precision is key to getting that outstanding shape like this bald fade for black men. Have your hair cut short and close to the scalp for a clean and professional appearance.
#8: Afro Temple Bald Fade with Beard
Flaunt your natural texture with this bald fade afro. Achieve this by getting your temples clean to the skin between a beard and the top hair for a sharp and neat vibe. Pairing this afro bald fade with beard creates a casual yet striking finish that most gents will love.
#9: Bald Fade with Design
The bald fade with design is a clean look on the sides and a perfect partner for any hairstyle. Add on a cool shaved pattern for a noteworthy look.
What’s best about this bald fade with hair design is that it works on any hair length and type.
#10: High Bald Fade
Give your hair an instant refreshing feel with a high bald fade so your hair will look neater and less ragged. Much like a pompadour, this style can definitely be eye-catching.
#11: Crew Cut with Bald Mid Fade
This crew cut with bald mid fade style suits almost all cuts, short or long. Look dapper with cleaned-up sides like in this cut to level up your hair game.
#12: Bald Drop Fade
This bald drop fade haircut features a smooth finish to complement any trendy hairstyle this season.
#13: Full Bald Fade Undercut
This is a fashionable and versatile full bald fade hairstyle that can be mixed with any casual style for an impressive result. The contrast it offers is just so remarkable.
#14: High Top Bald Fade for Long Hair
High fades bring attention to the top section of hair. High top bald fade hairstyles are ideal for men with longer hair because it allows you to get a fresh look while keeping your length intact. Combining longer hair and a skin fade creates a unique style.
#15: Bald Taper Fade with Hard Part
If you’re going for a subtle and classy look, go with bald taper fade with a hard part. It’s great for a business setting or any day you wanna look like a handsome gentleman.
#16: Bald Fade with Textured Crop
Combine the vintage side part with a modern clean shave and you’ll get this outstanding skin fade haircut with a textured crop. This works on men with thin hair as it creates a fuller-looking outcome. When styling this bald fade with textured crop hair, feel free to use a small amount of gel for a shinier, sleek finish.
#17: Bald Skin Fade
This bald skin fade on the sides provides the solution to looking cool every day. A high shaved side like this allows for more contrast and freshness.
#18: Quiff with Bald Fade
The bald fade quiff is a clean, classic cut that requires low-maintenance styling.
What’s the best thing about this cut is its versatility. You can combine and upgrade this bald fade to get a generally versatile look that goes well with any style you want aside from the quiff. Just choose between a comb-over or any high top.
#19: Bald Cut Fade with Waves
This is a minimalist bald cut fade to combine with a natural waved top. It accentuates and cleans your look for a dapper finish.
#20: Bald Fade with Curls
Men who have curls can rock fades like this one. The contrast of a totally clean side and a textured long top definitely grabs the attention of everyone. This bald fade with curls is a unique and standout style that suits men with lengthy hair on top more.
#21: Slicked Back Bald Fade
Slicked back bald fade cuts like this creates a sharp and clean finish to brushed back hair. You can have a surgical line added for added contrast. Combover fades are easy to maintain but keeping the length is the important part.
#22: Low Bald Fade with Pompadour
The short pompadour with low bald fade haircut is timeless and diverse that can accomplish multiple looks.
This bald fade with pompadour was an iconic cut in the early rap and hip-hop scene and to this day has been a staple cut in the African-American community.
According to barber Joel Belcourt of Canada, the best aspect of a fade that’s bald is its diversity. “Whether you’re the CEO of a large company or the next Dr. Dre, this cut looks clean, sleek, mature, and complex all while keeping it stylish, modern, and edgy,” Belcourt explains.
All that being said, bald fades are not necessarily for everyone. Before Belcourt suggests the cut to anyone, there must be factors to consider first.
For instance, for men with a rounder face and head, Belcourt would suggest getting a low bald fade with length on top due to the transition ending in a longer length. This creates a square look transitioning from the ear to the parietal ridge, ultimately creating a straight vertical line rather than taking the shape of the head. Belcourt found that a longer pompadour and a straight blade “hard part” look very sharp.
Naturally, a high fade would do the exact opposite. Belcourt explains, “if the top is buzzed, the haircut rounds the head. The high fade is a more aggressive look due to the amount of skin exposed. Such a fade with a part slicked to the side with a pompadour can give a classic look.”
#23: Medium Bald Fade with Part
This is a medium bald fade with part, created by barber Jeremy Moya of Romeoville, IL.
“I went off the natural texture of his hair starting the bald blend low and gradually fading into a #2 or 1/4 inch into the side with the part. I did a shear work on top (point cutting technique), then finished it off with straight razor work on the line-up, hard part, and neckline,” explains Moya.
Considering it’s such a tight fade, it must also be kept looking fresh. Moya recommends getting it cut every two weeks to maintain the best results.
Also, the rounder the head shape or thicker the hair texture, you can take the fade to blend a little higher on the sides. On the other hand, the slimmer the head shape or thinner the hair texture, you should leave the fade lower and slightly over the ears (the bald part).
#24: Bald Fade Faux Hawk
The bald fade faux hawk shows the perfect blend of skin to hair transition. The smooth skin is faded into limitless possibilities for the top of the head.
According to barber Uzi Qidwai of Canada, “the greatest thing about the skin fade haircut is that it can be paired with any type of style on the top, including a combover, buzzcut, textured crop, and spikes to name a few.”
This style requires consistent maintenance on an average of two weeks to keep the hair looking crispy and fresh. Qidwai explains, “be prepared to see your barber often. Find one that you can have a long-term relationship with. Usually fades require frequent cuts to maintain the proper length.”
#25: Bald Fade Buzz Cut
This bald fade haircut with a buzz cut is urban but classic. The coolest thing about a very short fade is the transition from short to long, says barber Miguel Lora of Florida.
“The first thing I would look for is to see if they have any scars or lesions on their scalp. This cut is perfect for a guy who is thinning on top. It brings out the hair and makes it looks less thin on top. I think fades are great styles for most guys,” Lora states.